If you’re near Southend Pier this Sunday afternoon, look out from the shore end for hordes of zombies shuffling along the pier towards you.

It’s the fourth Horror-on- Sea Zombie Walk, and you are invited to join in the fun, either as a ghoul or spectator.

It all starts in the Royal Pavilion at the sea end of the pier, with a “best dressed zombie” competition, at 2pm, courtesy of Silent Studios. There will be Halloween music playing in the Pier’s Royal pavilion and the cafe will be open for any Ghouls and Zombies who wish to arrive early.

All zombies and ghouls will be allowed free admission on the pier trains.

The Zombie Walk will start at 3pm and finish at the Park Inn Palace Hotel, where there will be a free Zombie and Ghoul Party, which will include a kids’ Halloween disco with free kids mocktails, which will be available on arrival in the hotel lounge on the first floor. Ghoulish food and drinks are also promised for the adults.

Anyone in Halloween costume is welcome to join in the walk. It’s a free event for “monsters of all ages”.

Paul Cotgrove, managing director of TheWhite Bus who organises the annual walk, said: “The Horror-on- Sea Zombie Walk was originally organised to promote the Horror-on-Sea Film Festival which takes place in January at the Park Inn Palace Hotel.

“As the first one – four years ago – was very well attended and everyone had such fun, we decided to make it a yearly event. The Zombie Walk also helps the pier event’s team by being able to offer families a free Halloween event as an alternative to their very popular Pier Train Ghost rides, which sell out very quickly.”

HORROR-ON-SEA ZOMBIE WALK 2pm Royal Pavilion Southend Pier Sunday October 25.